Scotia Annexation Study Session

January 23rd, 2007

The meeting was one of the best attended Council meetings since this whole process began.  The very crowded Council chambers included the regular attendees, many Palco employee's, various engineers and a number of residents of both Rio Dell and Scotia.  The full Council was in attendance along with the members of the Planning Commission and staff members.  I will try to keep my comments brief as you can view the video of the meeting below. 

The meeting began with a good presentation by Winzler & Kelly which reviewed the current state of the Scotia infrastructure and the recommended repairs.  The full text of the report is available on the City website.  The summary is pretty much what everyone expected, the infrastructure is in serious need of repair.  The town was built decades ago and grew as needed by the company.  The extent of the needed repairs is in some contention.  Palco contends that a majority of the water and sewer lines should be replaced but not as much as the City wants. 

The real sticking point is in the water treatment plant recommendations.  The City holds the position that they can't reasonably maintain two separate treatment plants and the City recommends one consolidated plant located in Scotia.  Except for having to pump raw sewage across the bridge to Scotia, the consolidation is the only viable alternative for Rio Dell.  The City is looking to pump the treated effluent water to the tree farm in Scotia rather than purchase five acres in Metropolitan for this disposal.  Palco wants to put money into the existing treatment plant in Scotia and be done with that.  They do not agree on the need for one facility to be maintained and staffed by Rio Dell.  They also don't agree that some recommended improvements in anticipation of the new water regulations coming in the near future should be part of the agreement.  However, if we know that some more regulations are coming our way we should be working toward compliance now rather than later, when everything is more expensive. 

It is only natural that Palco would want to get out from under Scotia for as little money as possible.  That is to be expected.  With that said, the citizens of both communities should not have to bear the brunt of the needed repairs just so Palco can save money.  They have certainly taken enough money out of this community over the years and can reasonably be expected to bring Scotia up to a minimally acceptable status before Rio Dell takes on the burden.  We have heard from various residents of Scotia about the water problems, the sinking houses and so on and so forth.  The problems are well known and need to be taken care of by Palco. 

If you don't have time to view the whole meeting, at least check out the public comments section.  People had great comments and questions.  It should be noted that at no time, in any meeting, has any Scotia resident spoken up about this annexation in any way.  That seems awfully peculiar since this affects them as much as it does Rio Dell.  We have also heard from Scotia residents that they wouldn't say a word about the annexation for fear of retribution.  Enough people have lost their jobs and homes in Scotia recently that I would be pretty nervous too. 

Since the meeting and the dueling engineers, things have changed drastically.  Palco is rejecting the City's idea of a third neutral engineering assessment on the infrastructure.  I think they are aware that they might not like the results.  Palco sent out a letter to Scotia residents saying that they are now looking at forming a Community Services District (CSD).  They are holding a meeting of Scotia residents on Feb. 1st at the Winema Theatre to discuss this.  This is actually a really good alternative for Scotia as well as Rio Dell if done correctly.  While one consolidated treatment plant is the only way Rio Dell could manage to maintain the treatment plant, pumping the raw sewage across our river (up stream of our water system intake) doesn't seem like a very good idea.  Scotia would continue to be protected by the Sheriff's department rather than the Rio Dell Police Dept.  Scotia would also have more say over their own town by way of the CSD Board, which would be an elected position.  At first, Palco would have total control over the CSD as the only property owner.  If Palco doesn't do the needed infrastructure improvements and LAFCO doesn't demand they do the work, this bill will get pushed out onto the new home owners.  This would be a very large bill spread out over a few homes.  Scotia residents might consider contacting LAFCO directly (and anonymously if need be) to ask that they insist Palco build the infrastructure needed and improve their water treatment plant. 

In the meantime, Rio Dell is currently stuck with a $110,000.00 bill for Palco's studies.  For some reason, the bills have been coming to the City rather than Palco.  Who agreed to this?  It would have been agreed to back at the beginning of this process, when Palco's long time employee, Jay Parrish, was directing the process as City Manager (illegally).  No conflict of interest there, right?

We will bring you more news as it becomes available. 

-Sharon

The first 2 hours and 15 Minutes of the Scotia Annexation Study Session (Video).  Sharon will have meeting notes for the entire meeting soon! 

Public Questions and Comments Portion (Video) About a 1/2 hour

Public Questions and Comments Portion (Audio) About a 1/2 hour

The first 2 hours and 15 Minutes of the Scotia Annexation Study Session (Audio).  Sharon will have meeting notes for the entire meeting soon! 

More to Come...   Steve :-)